NDP Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“On behalf of all New Democrats, I would like to wish everyone a happy National Indigenous Peoples Day. On this day, we celebrate the voices, traditions, languages, and history of First Nations, Métis and Inuit and recommit to walk the path of meaningful reconciliation.

For far too long, Indigenous Peoples have been waiting on meaningful concrete actions from the federal government to right the wrongs of Canada’s genocidal policies that targeted Indigenous families and communities.

Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government cannot speak of reconciliation while they are actively fighting Indigenous children in court — even though the Human Rights Tribunal found that Canada has been willfully and recklessly discriminating against these children. New Democrats are calling on Trudeau’s government to stop legal battles against Indigenous kids.

Amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples also means respecting their rights, title, history and present. For instance, many Canadians have only heard of Canada’s Residential Schools very recently. We must ensure that our educational institutions, museums and all levels of government convey Indigenous perspectives and narratives, so we know what needs to be done for true and genuine reconciliation.

New Democrats are committed to continue fighting for justice for Indigenous Peoples. We will continue to put pressure on Trudeau’s government to adopt all of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and all the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry Calls to Justice. We will also make sure that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is finally adopted by Canada.

New Democrats are committed to work with First Nations, Métis and Inuit to achieve progress on systemic inequalities like housing, healthcare, and environment protections. While Trudeau is fighting against Indigenous kids in court, we'll work alongside Indigenous communities, since they know what they need best.

To honour Indigenous voices, history, and truths of past and present, Indigenous Peoples can count on New Democrats to continue to fight alongside them for action towards genuine and meaningful reconciliation.”